A week and a half ago, two Pocatello families that Sheri
and I knew suffered tragic accidents. Colan Deatherage was Sheri’s pastor at
the Pocatello Baptist Church. Colan was on a father and son’s outing near
Pinedale, Wyoming when the throttle of the snowmobile he was driving stuck
open, sending him into a tree. He leaves behind a wife and six children.
The same weekend, Bill Parrish, his wife and their two
youngest children succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning while they slept due
to a malfunctioning water heater. They leave behind their two oldest children,
who were both on LDS missions at the time of the accident. The victims were
found by close relatives Brian Curtis and wife when they did not show up for a
church and a family gathering. Brian had been my neighbor and one of my scouts
when I was scoutmaster.
In times of tragedy, one struggles to find meaning in
crisis. Many find comfort in the belief that difficulties are orchestrated as
part of a grand plan. My attitude is a bit more cynical, that sometimes life
just sucks and things aren’t always fair. Life’s test is to accept the cards
that you are dealt and adapt while maintaining your faith. When one door
closes, another door opens but the transition can hurt to the bone.
Please remember the Deatherage and Parrish families in
your prayers. Their hearts are heavy with grief and they will struggle with their
losses.
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